Effects of firing temperature on photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic properties of TiO{sub 2}

Journal Article · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Journal of Environmental Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(1995)121:8(590)· OSTI ID:99402

Kim, D H; Anderson, M A; Zeltner, W A ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)

This paper describes studies of the effect of firing temperature on the photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic degradation of formic acid (HCOOH) using ultraviolet (UV) illuminated TiO{sub 2} thin films. Other variables, such as the potential applied [versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE)] to the film and the number of layers of film applied to the support were examined to determine optimum conditions for degradation. The transformation of TiO{sub 2} from anatase to rutile in the thin films was significantly retarded by placing the films on SnO{sub 2}-covered glass. Results indicate that films fired at 500 C showed the best efficiency for pure photocatalytic degradation, while films fired at 600 C had the best efficiency for the photoelectrocatalytic degradation of HCOOH. The efficiency of these photoelectrocatalytic reactions increased with increasing potential until 2 V (versus SCE) was obtained. A film with one layer (0.27 {micro}m thickness) showed the maximum degradation of HCOOH for photoelectrocatalytic reactions at 2 V (versus SCE), as no further increase in the rate of degradation of HCOOH was obtained by using thicker films.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 99402
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Engineering Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 121; ISSN 0733-9372; ISSN JOEEDU
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
DECOMPOSITION
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
FORMIC ACID
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TITANIUM OXIDES
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE WATER